Patients Rights Support Foundation

The suit against Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) came up for mention last week i.e 21/01/2016. Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) has finally filed their Statement of Defence. It agrees that its members are essential service providers but that they have no contracts with Patients, that their strikes are not usually total and contrary to the clear provisions of the Oath they took when they were inducted as Doctors and the existing laws, that they have a right to go on strike. The Judge disagreed with them and advised them to approach us for an out of Court settlement. To this, their lawyer and representative agreed gladly. The case was then adjourned to 16/02/2016 for report of settlement. As soon as Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) fixes a date for settlement talks we would let u all know. Thanks

Sign board at Head Office: No. 109B Berom Street, near Hotel De Cardamon, West of Mines, P. O. Box 57,Jos, Plateau State. Email: [email protected]

Barr. Nanfa Delleng in his comment in relation to our posts has asked two questions:
“What is your Foundation about and does it allow for membership?”
a. What is your foundation about?
The main aims and objectives of PRSF as contained in its Constitution are as follows:

1. To canvas for and maintain medical excellence in hospitals.
2. To canvas for reduction and of possible elimination of medical negligence in hospitals.
3. To cater for the welfare of member of indigent patients.
4. To liaise with local, national and international N.G.O’s with similar and aims and objectives for the purpose of advancing the course of the foundation.
5. To galvanize support for quality and affordable health care of the teaming Nigerians with various health challenges.
6. To enlighten hospital staff to show love and care to patients.
7. To help the less privileged Patients whose medical rights have been infringed”.

Accordingly we have set out projects some of which we have started carrying out. We have earlier stated them, they include the following:

1. Organizing Seminars/workshops and other Training programmes on the rights/duties/liabilities of Medical Personnel and of Patients.
2. Er****on of billboards in strategic positions in as many health care centers and across all the cities in Nigeria spelling out major rights of Patients/ Medical Personnel.
3. Radio/Tv programmes and jingles, Newspaper columns/adverts.

4. Publishing Medico-legal Journals and books on Patients rights.

5. Publishing low cost Medical Law Reports and compiling medical laws (local and foreign) for easy reference.
6. Handling of Court/MDPDT matters on pro bono basis.
7. Seasonal gifts to Patients.

8. Assisting indigent Patients with hospital bills.
9. Hospital visitation (especially emergency wards).

10. Bill on Patients Rights (to be presented before the N.H.A).

b. Does it allow for membership?

Yes it does allow for membership. We already have some members. We have 10 (ten) Units made up of the Administration, Counseling, Complaints, Enlightenment/Publicity, Service and Visitation, Legal, Resource, Accounts, Distribution and HIV/Aids Units. These Units are headed by members and we still need more members to participate in some of the said Units.
Our Constitution provides that “Membership of this FOUNDATION is open to all people of different tribes, races and religions who are ready to abide by its principles and vision. Membership shall cut across international boundaries”.
For now we have commenced a process whereby we encourage as many as are interested to become first a Partner. Partners are encouraged to contribute a token of a minimum sum of N1,000.00 (one thousand naira) monthly through the Foundation’s account.

Partners would always be informed of any project their funds are being put into or would be put into at the end of every month. Partnership forms can be obtained on request or from the Foundation’s head office in Jos.

We meet with our Partners at least twice a year to give progress reports and strategize on how best to achieve more results to achieve our aims and objectives.

The Board of Trustees shall at the end of every year after a Board meeting appoints more eligible members from our body of Partners.